Same zip, different jurisdiction: this page covers LA County Public Works (DPW). The same zip code(s) also cover parts of Lancaster (Lancaster (its own permits)). Verify your parcel's jurisdiction before filing, different agencies, different rules.
Antelope Valley · LA County (Unincorporated)
ADU permits in Three Points
Zip codes:93536
Three Points is a tiny rural unincorporated community of about 400 people in the far-western Antelope Valley near the Kern County line. It is not a city. Building permits run through Los Angeles County Public Works (Building & Safety). Multi-acre high-desert lots + LA County jurisdiction.
Unincorporated LA County, not LADBS
Three Points is unincorporated territory. Building permits go through LA County Public Works (Building & Safety) ↗ under LA County Code Title 22, not the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). Our address checker pulls real feasibility data for any LA County address; the Three Points-specific permit pathway is detailed below.
Three Points by the numbers
Rounded figures from the 2020 US Census, LA County Assessor parcel data, and LA County DPW permit records.
Population
400
2020 Census
Single-family homes
~170
LA County Assessor
Median lot size
100,000 sqft
Approximate
ADU permits filed 2025
~2
Source: HCD 2025 total (1,278) distributed proportionally across 2024 per-area shares. 2024: 2.
What makes Three Points different
Three Points is at the intersection of three state highways (SR-138, Old Sierra Highway, and roads to Lake Hughes / Gorman). Permits run through LA County DPW Building & Safety at the Lancaster field office.
LA County ADU rules for Three Points
Last verified: 2026-04-15
Current LA County rules from Title 22 of the County Code, as applied to Three Points. State preemption (Gov Code §65852.2) means the county can't reduce below the state baseline. We note where that applies.
| Max detached ADU size | 1,200 sqft (state default) |
| Max ADU height | 16 ft / 18 ft with second-story setbacks |
| Setbacks | 4 ft side / 4 ft rear (state minimum) |
| Permitting agency | LA County Public Works (Building & Safety), Lancaster field office |
| Local processing time | 60 days from complete submittal (state-mandated) |
Active overlays + extra rules in Three Points
LA County overlays + state-level designations that hit a meaningful share of Three Points parcels.
Watch-outs specific to Three Points
Amenities + civic services in Three Points
Parks, libraries, and the school district that serve the area. Context that matters for renter appeal, family relocation, and long-term resale.
Public schools
School assignments vary by exact address. Performance levels below are from the official California School Dashboard, California's official accountability system uses colored levels (blue highest, red lowest) rather than 1-10 numeric scores.
District
Westside Union School District + Antelope Valley Union High School District
Getting around Three Points
Car-only rural.
Transit + walkability
Walkability
Not walkable.
Nearby airports
Distance + type for each major Los Angeles-area airport reachable from Three Points. Useful for travel, commute, and any flight-path noise concerns on specific parcels.
General William J. Fox Airfield (WJF, Lancaster)
~14 miGeneral aviation
Nearby areas to Three Points
Other Los Angeles-area pages worth a look. Each one runs different Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) rules depending on jurisdiction, we show you what changes when you cross a city or county line.
LA County unincorporated
Leona Valley →
Small western AV unincorporated community with cherry-orchard heritage. Multi-acre lots + LA County jurisdiction + San Andreas Fault zone shape the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) calculus.
LA County unincorporated
Antelope Acres →
Small central AV unincorporated community with multi-acre equestrian lots. LA County jurisdiction shapes the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) calculus.
LA County unincorporated
Gorman →
Tiny far-northwest LA County unincorporated community at the Tejon Pass on Interstate 5. LA County jurisdiction + minimal residential market.
Frequently asked questions about Three Points ADUs
›Can I build an ADU in Three Points?
Yes. Three Points allows ADUs under LA County Code Title 22, aligned with California Gov Code §65852.2. Most single-family lots can host one ADU plus one JADU. Permits go through LA County Public Works (Building & Safety), not LADBS, since Three Points is unincorporated territory rather than a city.
›Why does Three Points use LA County rules instead of LA City rules?
Three Points is unincorporated. It's never been formally incorporated as its own city, so LA County serves as the local government. Building permits, zoning, sheriff, libraries (in many cases), and most other services run through county departments rather than city ones.
›Where do I submit my Three Points ADU permit?
Online via LA County's EPIC-LA portal, or in-person at the LA County Public Works Building & Safety counter in Alhambra (900 S. Fremont Avenue). The EPIC-LA online portal handles most ADU submittals end-to-end, so you rarely need to visit in person.
›How long does the ADU permit process take in Three Points?
LA County DPW targets the state-required 60-day plan check for ADUs from a complete submittal. Hillside, VHFHSZ, or environmental-review parcels can extend timelines by 4 to 12 weeks. Three Points-specific overlays may add additional time. See the watch-outs above.
›Are LA County's pre-approved ADU plans free?
Yes. LA County maintains three pre-approved standard ADU plans (Plans A, B, and C) usable in any unincorporated area, including Three Points. They're free to use, similar to LADBS's YOU-ADU program. The trade-off is reduced design flexibility, but for a fast, low-cost permit path they're the strongest option.
Ready to see what your Three Points lot can do?
Our free address checker pulls real zoning, overlay, and parcel data for any Los Angeles County address, including unincorporated Three Points. Start there and we'll surface what applies to your specific lot.
Check your address →Reviewed by Yair Harpaz, Founder, PermitPathLA. California DRE-licensed broker with 30+ years of Los Angeles real estate and mortgage industry experience.
Three Points ordinance data last reviewed .
See an error or stale rule? corrections@permitpath.la
Primary sources: LA County DPW ADU info · LA County Code Title 22